2015 Quick Lane Bowl: Monday, December 28
Minnesota 21, Central Michigan 14
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DETROIT, Mich. — Central Michigan was held to a season-low 249 total yards Monday as the Chippewas fell to Minnesota, 21-14, in the Quick Lane Bowl before 34,217 at Ford Field.
CMU finished 7-6 in John Bonamego’s first year as the Chippewas’ coach, and it brought to an end an emotional season for the entire program.
Freshman Romello Ross ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries to lead a CMU offense that, outside of two scoring drives, struggled to find its footing.
“It was pretty well-documented that they have a very good secondary,” Bonamego said. “I think that was the strength of their defense. We thought we moved the ball against them pretty well. We stalled a few drives, got in some long-yardage situations, but they’re a good defense and a talented defense.”
CMU quarterback Cooper Rush completed 15 of 29 attempts for 145 yards. All three numbers were season lows for the junior who entered the game having thrown for a CMU single-season record 3,703 yards.
His one interception was extremely costly. With CMU trailing 21-14 and facing a third-and-7 at the Minnesota 42, Rush was pressured and falling when he let a pass go. It was intercepted by Briean Boddy-Calhoun at the Gopher 35 with just over 2 minutes to play.
That ended CMU’s last legitimate chance to tie the game.
“Just trying to make a play,” Rush said. “Looking back I probably should have just ate it.”
Ross gave the Chippewas a 14-13 lead when he fought his way into the end zone on a bullish 13-yard run early in the fourth quarter. That capped a four-play, 56-yard drive.
Minnesota (6-7) responded with a 13-play, 74-yard drive that ended with quarterback Mitch Leidner dashing 13 yards for a TD. Leidner found KJ Maye on the two-point conversion pass and Minnesota was back in front with 6:36 left.
Minnesota grabbed a 3-0 lead on a Ryan Santoso 22-yard field goal in the first quarter. CMU went ahead 7-3 when Rush scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak midway through the second quarter.
Leidner tossed an 11-yard TD pass to Maye early in the second quarter to give the Gophers a 10-7 halftime lead.
